A Tasmanian couple who filmed their dog attacking and killing wallabies have been handed suspended prison sentences in a case a Supreme Court judge described as “wanton and gratuitous cruelty”.
37-year-old Trista Lee Mollross and Anthony Michael Blackaby, 46, encouraged their Staffordshire bull terrier ‘Billie’ to attack three wallabies at Dominic College in Glenorchy across two separate incidents in February and March 2024.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Estcourt sentenced Mollross to a suspended six months behind bars and Blackaby to three months, also suspended, after both pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated animal cruelty.
The court heard disturbing details of how the couple filmed the attacks, with Mollross heard saying “kill it” and “finish it, Billie” as the dog mauled the helpless animals.
During the first incident on February 27, Blackaby grabbed a wallaby by the tail and neck to present it to the dog, whilst Mollross recorded the attack and provided encouragement.
“She’s about to rip its tail off. Go Billie, good girl. Finish it, Billie,” Mollross could be heard saying in footage presented to the court.
The couple later posed for photos with the dead wallaby and shared the footage with family members, including Mollross’s 13-year-old daughter.
The second incident on March 7 proved even more violent, with Mollross attending the school grounds alone with Billie in the early hours of the morning.
Video evidence showed her kicking an incapacitated wallaby multiple times before strangling it with one hand, while again encouraging the dog to keep attacking.
“Who’s a good girl? You killed it, Billie. Come on, let’s go and get another one,” Mollross said to the dog.
The attack occurred in the children’s play area, with school CCTV capturing the scene. Blood was later found splattered near the classrooms.
Staff discovered the dead wallaby the next morning and contacted police after reviewing the security footage.
Justice Estcourt noted that under Tasmania’s Animal Welfare Act, the maximum penalty for such offences is a $39,000 fine or up to five years in prison.
In addition to their suspended sentences, both Mollross and Blackaby were banned from owning dogs for 18 months and ordered to complete community service.
